THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY B. BOYLE, MURT, D. O'BRIEN, CALTAGIRONE, CLYMER, D. COSTA, DeLUCA, DONATUCCI, GOODMAN, HARHAI, HENNESSEY, JOSEPHS, KAVULICH, KIRKLAND, KORTZ, KULA, LONGIETTI, MANN, PARKER, PASHINSKI, PAYTON, READSHAW, ROAE, SWANGER AND VULAKOVICH, APRIL 20, 2011

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, APRIL 20, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Urging Pennsylvanians to use the term "intellectually disabled"

to describe individuals with a mental impairment.

WHEREAS, The term "mental retardation" had been used by

physicians, psychologists and other professionals to describe a

condition of significant intellectual impairment, but over time,

it has devolved into a negative slang term, where someone or

something may commonly be referred to as "retarded"; and

WHEREAS, The use of this term, or the "r-word" as it is

sometimes referenced, in such a derogatory manner is hurtful and

insulting to individuals with intellectual disabilities and

their families and friends; and

WHEREAS, Consequently, many advocacy organizations have even

changed their names to replace the term "mentally retarded" or

"retardation" with the term "intellectually disabled" or

"intellectual disabilities" and are working to spread this

practice on a global scale; and

WHEREAS, Intellectual disability is one of the most common of

disabilities, afflicting approximately seven to eight million

Americans of various ethnic, social, economic and educational

backgrounds and directly affecting one in ten families in the

United States; and

WHEREAS, According to a 2009 report by the National

Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, almost

614,000 children between three and 21 years of age have some

level of intellectual disability; and

WHEREAS, According to the President's Committee for People

with Intellectual Disabilities, approximately 31% of individuals

with intellectual disabilities are employed while more are eager

to participate in the labor force; and

WHEREAS, Employers have noted that these workers have

demonstrated their dedication and work ethic with low rates of

absenteeism and a willingness to perform a variety of tasks,

thereby contributing to the benefit of the organization, as well

as society as a whole; and

WHEREAS, The Federal Government, in October 2010, joined in

this effort with the signing into law, by President Barack

Obama, a measure referred to as "Rosa's Law" resulting in

changing references in Federal statutes from mental retardation

to intellectual disability and references to a mentally retarded

individual as an individual with an intellectual disability; and

WHEREAS, There is a worldwide movement to end the use of the

"r-word" and to replace it with "intellectual disability" in

official documents and public discourse; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge all

Pennsylvanians to stop using the "r-word," to replace it with

the term "intellectual disability" and to be mindful that words

are powerful and can have a significant impact on people and how

they are viewed by others as well as themselves.